Uncommon's first feature film, 'This Much I Know To Be True', explores the creative partnership between Nick Cave and Warren Ellis
The trailer for Andrew Dominik’s 'This Much I Know To Be True' was released on 28 March and Trafalgar Releasing will bring the film to cinemas worldwide on Wednesday 11 May, following its critically acclaimed world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.
Shot on location in London and Brighton, the film captures Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’ exceptional creative relationship as they bring to life the songs from their last two studio albums, Ghosteen (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds) and Carnage (Nick Cave & Warren Ellis).
In this document of their first ever performances of these albums, filmed in spring 2021 ahead of their UK tour, we see the two, accompanied by singers and string quartet, as they nurture each song into existence. The film features a special appearance by close friend and long-term collaborator, Marianne Faithfull.
We hear about the process of Nick writing The Red Hand Files — the letters he chooses to answer and the replies themselves — giving us an insight into his current concerns in life and music, and into the method by which he is able to bring his own thoughts and feelings into order. We also visit the workshop where he is creating a series of sculptures depicting the life of the Devil — a portrait of the lives of all of us as we move from innocence to experience, attune to the world and its attendant loss, and eventually confront our own mortality.
'This Much I Know To Be True' reaches into the deep and personal relationship between Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, something glimpsed in the 2014 Cave pseudo-documentary, 20,000 Days on Earth.
The film hopes to be another significant moment in the journeys of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, capturing the mood and spirit of the pair as they move through a new, optimistic phase.
Shot in colour by Andrew Dominik (Chopper, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Blonde) and with cinematography by Robbie Ryan (The Favourite, Marriage Story) This Much I Know To Be True is a companion piece to Dominik’s 2016 film One More Time with Feeling which premiered at the Venice Film festival followed by screenings in 850 cinemas across 30 countries, also distributed by Trafalgar Releasing.
Nils Leonard, Co-founder, Uncommon Creative Studio said: “We built Uncommon to make art, film, images, and brands that actually matter — and music at its best can matter more than anything. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis matter, their work is important and we’re so proud to have worked with them on our first feature. This is less about entertainment for us and far more about the power of music and artists to make a difference. The reviews so far have been overwhelming — and we can’t wait to share it with the world in cinemas this May.”
Credits
A Bad Seed Ltd Film produced by Uncommon Creative Studio
Directed by Andrew Dominik
Starring Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
Featuring Marianne Faithfull
Executive Producers Charlie Gatsky Sinclair Brian Message Beth Clayton
Producers Amy James Isaac Hoff
Director Of Photography Robbie Ryan
Editor Matthew C. Hart
Lighting Design Chris Scott Andrew Dominik
Music Written and Performed by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
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